In a landmark moment for the Eternal City, Rome has inaugurated two new stations on its long-delayed Metro C subway line, including a spectacular stop deep beneath the iconic Colosseum. The openings on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, mark a significant step in a project two decades in the making, finally offering a high-tech transport solution while preserving a priceless underground museum of history.
A Journey Through Time: Archaeology Meets Engineering
The new Colosseum station, situated at a depth of 30 metres (around 100 feet), is more than just a transit hub. Commuters and tourists are greeted by a stunning display of archaeological finds unearthed during its construction. Visitors can view ceramic vases, stone wells, and the remarkably preserved ruins of a first-century dwelling, complete with a cold plunge pool and thermal bath. Interactive screens detail the painstaking excavation process, explaining the lengthy delays that have plagued the project.
The multibillion-euro Metro C line has been slowed for years by bureaucratic hurdles, funding issues, and the immense challenge of navigating Rome's subterranean past. "The challenge was... building it under such a large amount of groundwater and at the same time preserving all the archaeological finds," explained Marco Cervone, construction manager for the Webuild-led consortium.
Unearthing a Military Barracks and a Frescoed Home
The second station inaugurated, Porta Metronia, located just one stop from the Colosseum, holds its own historical treasures. Archaeologists discovered a nearly 80-metre military barracks dating to the early second century. Simona Moretta, the scientific director of the excavation, confirmed its military purpose, noting the offset doorways designed to prevent soldiers from colliding in corridors.
Alongside the barracks, a domestic home with well-preserved frescoes and mosaics was found. Moretta announced plans for an on-site museum within the station in the future. To date, the consortium building Line C has recovered more than 500,000 artefacts, employing specialised techniques like ground freezing to stabilise the delicate soil around ancient ruins.
The Future of Rome's Transport and Tourism
The total cost for the line's 31 stations is projected to reach around €7 billion (£5.9 billion), with completion expected by 2035. Once finished, Line C will run 29 kilometres, mostly underground, and carry up to 800,000 passengers daily. Its route will pass beneath other world-renowned heritage sites, including Trajan's Column and the Basilica of Maxentius.
The next major stop, Piazza Venezia, is set to open in 2033 at a staggering depth of 48 metres. For tourists and residents alike, the new line promises a welcome respite from Rome's notorious traffic congestion, offering a direct, modern link to the heart of the ancient city while showcasing the layers of history beneath its streets.
